Tassimo's Starbucks Showdown

Fans of Starbucks coffee who bought a Tassimo coffee maker will have to switch to another bean or brewer.

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Fans of Starbucks coffee who bought a Tassimo coffee maker will have to switch to another bean or brewer, as Starbucks is only available in K-Cups now.

The Seattle-based coffee conglomerate had contracted with Kraft Foods' to distribute Starbucks coffee in grocery stores back in 1998, and more recently made an agreement that would extend for 12 years. When Kraft launched its Tassimo pod-brewer system, Starbucks was sold exclusively in T-Discs, which Kraft said boosted brewer sales.

However, in early 2010, Starbucks claimed that Kraft was not doing enough to promote their coffees. Among their complaints were that Kraft had spent too much to promote Yuban coffee instead, and that the Tassimo brewer had failed to gain market share. Starbucks tried to sever its ties to Kraft with a payment that Kraft said was too low, and eventually the whole debacle ended up in court.

In March of 2011, a judge ruled in favor of Starbucks, allowing the contract to be terminated. The first product to disappear from store shelves was Kraft's Starbucks-branded T-Discs. Though old stock is still available in limited numbers online, Kraft is now only selling Maxwell House and Gevalia coffees in the US.

Starbucks, however, has entered into an agreement with Green Mountain Coffee to produce their coffee in K-Cups. If you're a Starbucks aficionado, keep that in mind before you buy a brewer.

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Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.

Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.